-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Immigrants in Illinois without a valid visa or green card could soon carry one form of state-issued documentation -- a driver 's license -- thanks to a law signed Monday by the governor .

The bill could affect about 250,000 drivers who traverse Illinois ' roads without a license or other documentation that authorizes their presence in the United States . Once it takes effect in 10 months , those who have been in Illinois for over a year who are n't eligible for a Social Security number can get a driver 's license if they pass a driving safety test and have valid automobile insurance .

Although he referenced the divisive immigration debate in Washington , Gov. Pat Quinn said the measure signed Monday was mostly motivated by a desire to optimize safety along Illinois roads . Another aim is to reduce an estimated $ 64 million in annual damage claims related to accidents involving undocumented immigrants , thereby lowering insurance premiums paid by others Illinois drivers .

`` Illinois is moving forward , '' the governor said . `` This common sense law will help everybody , regardless of their background , learn the rules of the road , pass a driving test and get insurance . As a result , our roads will be safer , we will create more access to job opportunities , and our economic growth will be strengthened . ''

The statement issued by Quinn 's office touts the positive effect the new law will have on undocumented immigrants -- and , it argues , on the state 's economy as a whole .

Specifically , it cites studies that show immigrants `` who drive legally are more likely to work , spend and contribute to the economy . '' And those with driver 's licenses will have more job opportunities available to them , which the governor 's office says should generally boost businesses in the state .

Access to driver 's licenses is also important to immigrant rights groups , who see it as a sign of inclusiveness and perhaps a harbinger of broader immigration reform that will keep more families together .

`` Today is a proud day for our immigrant community , '' said Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights CEO Lawrence Benito . `` The signing of today 's law sends a clear signal : Our country is ready to unite in a bipartisan manner to pass a humane immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship . ''

State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno , a Republican , said her state 's politicians should be proud of the effort , which she said was necessitated by `` the inaction of the federal government . ''

Another Republican , state House Minority Leader Tom Cross , praised a law he said will allow more Illinois residents to legally `` go to work , take their kids to school or the doctor , '' in addition to making `` the roads safer for all residents . ''

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`` Today in Illinois , we take a monumental step in recognizing the needs of many hard-working immigrants living here and contributing so much to our great state , '' Cross said .

But not all Republicans nationwide support such an initiative . New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said last week that she 'll push -- for the third time -- to repeal what she called a `` dangerous law '' that lets undocumented immigrants in her state get driver 's licenses .

Critics claim that the 2003 law has made New Mexico a magnet for fraud , with state Secretary of Taxation and Revenue Demesia Padilla contending in 2011 that `` illegal immigrants from all over the country come to New Mexico to obtain a license without having the intention of staying here . ''

The only other state to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver 's licenses is Washington . Utah issues driving privilege cards to undocumented immigrants who live in the state for more than six months .

Monday 's announcement in Chicago comes the same day a bipartisan group of eight U.S. senators floated their framework for national immigration reform . President Barack Obama -- whom some Latinos had criticized for not making immigration a top priority in his first term , though they overwhelmingly backed him in the 2012 election -- will address the issue Tuesday night .

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Among other elements , the senators ' proposal includes a `` tough but fair '' path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the United States and a guest worker program for jobs that Americans are either unable or unwilling to fill .

This plan drew swift condemnation from some conservative groups and politicians , reflecting the battle lines on the issue that have been drawn in earlier debates and suggesting that it wo n't be easy to get any such legislation through Congress .

NumbersUSA , a group seeking to reduce U.S. immigration , called the senators ' plan an attempt to `` out-amnesty Obama '' and said it will urge its 1.3 million members to push to fight it . And Rep. Lamar Smith , R-Texas , said the proposed measures may cost taxpayers millions of dollars as well as thousands of jobs .

`` By granting amnesty , the Senate proposal actually compounds the problem by encouraging more illegal immigration , '' Smith said .

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Illinois governor signs law that may affect 250,000 who do n't have visa or green card

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Immigrants who pass a driver 's test and have insurance can get a driver 's license

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Bipartisan backers say the law bolsters safety , economy and `` hard-working immigrants ''

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Signing comes as debate about federal immigration reform continues in Washington